trying my hand at emulating victoria ivanova's photographs. ivanova is the featured artist in the current artist challenge. here's the lowdown:
https://365project.org/discuss/themes-competitions/44405/new-artist-challenge-victoria-ivanova
this is the original -
https://500px.com/photo/237134037/coffee-time-by-victoria-ivanova my lighting unfortunately is atrocious but i am reading a really exciting book and so this is a quick shot -- two shots and i'm done.
toronto's lockdown has been extended until january. a lot of people are again complaining. what about Christmas? yes, what about Christmas. new cases are escalating and the authorities are afraid that it would get even worse after the holiday season because we all know we are going to disregard the pleas for us to stay home and/or just celebrate with those we live with. or with no more than 10 people. is that at one time or any time, i.e., we'll have guests to make make 10 at lunch, they leave, then a few more for tea, they leave and a few more for dinner? there is an exception to that apparently -- the one-person household. so i find myself with quite a few invitations as i am a one-person household. i wonder if that means i can hop from one home for lunch, one home for afternoon tea, and another for dinner. while we are at it, i can hop to another home for dessert and yet another home for after dinner drinks. and that is just for the day before Christmas. do it again on Christmas day. and there are more invitations so repeat it on boxing day.
and that's the reason for that note at the end of my 'alone and blue' post two days ago. since before our thanksgiving, i have received so many calls from people, at work, at church, elsewhere, "checking on me, if i'm okay," and "if you want someone to talk to, please call me". don't get me wrong, i appreciate the thoughts, and i'm so aware that most people just don't know me well. but there are quite a few, who had even taken to checking up on my postings here, and even on facebook where i rarely show up, to check out on me, as if somehow they are able to discern whether i am lonely and perhaps depressed.
it's hard to get lonely when you have so many things to occupy your time, and so many hours to rest and just be. even the ex was checking on me. when we were still together i told him i am used to being and living alone, and i love being by myself. if we were still together there's no way i would've touched brush and paints, got a side job reviewing books. no way! because he just wanted my attention to be all on him. that's why the one after him didn't last long because he couldn't bear it when i am being quiet and just want to be by myself.
i have plans for Christmas, i tell people. i've politely turned down a lot of invites. in fact, if there are no invites, it wouldn't really matter. however, there are a handful of people that i respect and enjoy being with them, and they me. so not to worry about me. i'm fine!
Second, alone time. Aaaahhh...!
Glad to know you are enjoying your solitude. There is definitely something to be said for living your life however you want whenever you want!
RE: people calling. I'm on a group of people from my church who are calling members to "check" on them. It's not something I particularly care to do, but thought it was a good thing to let people know they are thought about and provide another person they could call on should a need arise. Seems fun just to talk to people, too. I like your attitude. Someone at church has written two newsletters and we "covid shepherds" are reporting things that people are doing while the virus continues on. It's interesting to read about the varied interests, activities that are going on in a group of people I really don't know very well.
Love this perfect emulation of her work. Bet it wasn't easy to do and you're too critical of your work missus!!!